The New Morning Routine

It is insanely hard trying to find the right skincare routine. Every brand now offers copious amounts of moisturisers, serums, eye creams and it's pretty daunting on knowing where to start, never mind what will actually work for you. My first piece of advice is to actually listen to your skin and work out what it needs. From working on a counter I know first hand that every claims to be either 'oily' or 'dry', are you really though? If you would like a break-down of skin types then please let me know, this may help a lot of people out there who aren't entirely sure. I personally am mostly normal but occasionally dehydrated - not dry, dehydrated. What I have found is that I was applying far too much onto my skin that not only took forever in the morning, it really wasn't working for me and was actually making my skin work. I have now stripped everything back and have quite a basic routine.

First up, cleanse. I prefer a balm/ cleansing oil type for this and do use different ones day and night. For the morning I love to use Clinique 'Take the Day Off' Balm which I have used for almost a year now, this is my third tub - love the stuff! This could be used at night as it also removes makeup, but I like the feel for the morning to wipe off any excess dirt and oils from the previous nights sleep. To apply, take a small blob, rub into face - including eye area, take a flannel or muslin cloth and wash off. 

I then move onto a face wash. Clarins Wake-Up Booster is what I have been using recently, would I say it's wow factor? No, but it is nice enough and refreshing for the morning. This too is a cleansing wash and could be used as first in your routine. I am not a fan of foaming face washes, each to their own but wouldn't recommend. Personally, they strip my skin and I believe that's what caused the change in my skin in the first place! This says on the website 'foaming' but it's definitely not, it has a gel consistency which I just pop onto my hands, rub into skin and again remove with flannel.

Where I used to tone, I no longer do. I honestly feel like toner is just flavoured water and does nothing for the skin. I use a Clarins one at night after my make-up remover to take off any remaining makeup that may still be hanging about, and that is it! Instead, I go pop on a pump of Clarins Cleansing Milk, the salon sizes are absolutely amazing value and has lasted me a whole year! One pump, and apply to the face and I just leave it, you can also tissue off but I love the extra hydration. I have used this product consistently for over a year now and won't remove it from my routine. Ever. 

Now that the face is thoroughly washed and cleansed I move onto the good stuff. First up eye cream. How many of us apply serum and/or moisturiser first? The reason for applying eye cream first is due to it being the thinnest layer of skin and so applying any products first creates a barrier, which makes it harder to get to the source. This will also make a heavier moisturiser and could cause puffiness. Moral of the story? Apply eye cream first! I love Benefit's It's Potent Eye Cream. It contains Burnett, a Chinese remedy, which helps with smoothing out any unwanted lines and wrinkles and also Cocoa Extract to counteract against darkness - exactly what I need! 

Then to serum, Serum is so incredibly important and I feel everyone really should invest in one. This is the only skin we get so please respect it! I was using Benefit's which I do love but have recently moved onto Clarins Double Serum for daytime. I do like it, it leaves my skin feeling refreshed, plumped and smells gorgeous but I have found that it runs out really quickly and I only use one pump of it in the morning. Not impressed with that considering the price tag! I haven't yet found my perfect serum so any recommendations are welcome. 

Then last but certainly not least I apply moisturiser and my choice goes to Clinique Moisture Surge Intense. I cannot recommend this moisturiser enough to anyone who suffers from dry and/or dehydrated skin. This is what I believe to have seriously helped in taking away that tightness to my skin. It contains Olive Extract which allows the skin to retain moisture making it much healthier! Especially good during the colder months when our skin needs extra moisture!

There we have it, my morning routine! It may seems loads to other people but it's really not, it takes me 10 minutes tops and it is so, unbelievably important to not only have a skincare routine but to get the right one for you! We have all wasted money on products that have sat in our drawers so please get a sample first. 

Are you a fan of any of the above products?

- Lori x

Weekly Loves #8

Clarins Gentle Exfoliator // Kate Moss '22' //

They're Real Liner*

I love looking back over the previous week and rounding up my favourite products from the last seven days. My skin is very up and down at the moment so my base make-up menu has pretty much stayed the same, so I've been looking to other avenues to change it up.

Does anyone else's skin break out just before an event or holiday? It's like my face goes 'Yeah. you can have nice skin all the time. What's that? Your holidays in a few weeks? Here's a spot'. When this does happen I tend to up the anti with exfoliating. It took me a while to find the right exfoliator for my skin, using very harsh ones that stripped my face until I eventually found Clarins One-Step Gentle Exfoliating Cleanser. This is exactly as it says, a gentle exfoliator. The beads are so soft it hardly feels like an exfoliator at all. I also love the orange extract scent (any surprise?), so refreshing to use in the morning. This is only the travel size - brilliant size, I know - however, I'm beginning to run low so will be taking a quick trip to Clarins to purchase the full size.

I haven't worn a red lip in months. I wore one religiously for ages and then seemed to turn to lighter shades of coral and pink. However, over the last week I have been loving the Kate Moss for Rimmel in shade 22. A gorgeous pinky red colour that goes to a matte formula, whilst still adding a hint of shine. I do prefer a matte lip as I find them to last longer and this certainly does the trick. I only topped this up once after lunch and it lasted the full day. Must admit, I never tend to wear a lip liner, I just find it an unnecessary step and had no problems with bleeding. Think I'll need to have a rummage at some of the other shades in this range as I really enjoy the formula.

Last up for this weeks round up comes from Benefit Cosmetics and their much anticipated new release; They're Real Push Up Gel Liner. I will be popping up a full review of this during the week so don't want to go into too much detail but I have been loving this little pen. It does take a few goes of getting used to but after that, it whacks off around ten minutes of my makeup routine. Anything that can do that is a winner in my eyes.

Are you a lover of any of these products?

Lori x

The Re-Purchase Test

Ghost Deep Night Perfume // Benefit High Beam //

Origins GinZing Moisturiser // Clarins Beauty Flash Balm

How many of us use up a full product and then go and repurchase it? Let's be honest, I know I'm guilty of thinking 'maybe I should try something else, it might be better'. Who's with me? However, in amoungst thinking of all the products I might be missing out on there are some products that just work. Things that you know you can't cope without, and when they are coming to an end you feel like your world is ending... Just me? Today I bring you The RePurchase Test, things that can't be replaced, only rebought!

Let's start with my signature scent: Ghost Deep Night. I have worn this perfume since I was about 14. Anyone who knows me can confirm. It's a gorgeous floral and fruity perfume without being overly sweet. A beautiful blend of vanilla (my absolute favourite), apricot and peach, not too over-powering making it perfect for everyday. I honestly couldn't count the amount of bottles of this perfume I have went through.

Another staple in my drawer comes from Benefit and can be the one and only High Beam. No matter how many highlighters I try, nothing will compare to my beloved High Beam. This was one of the, if not the first Benefit product I got and it is one of the only products that will be a constant in my make-up bag. Incredibly illuminating and perfect for my pale, translucent skin. Don't get me wrong, this may be a little too 'white' for people with more sallow/ tanned skin tones and may prefer Sun Beam instead. However, this is gorgeous multi-purpose product whether you want to use it one the highest points of the cheek bones, the bridge of the nose, on the lids to brighten the eye area, this product will not let you down! 

Moving on from my two greatest love stories throughout the years, comes my most recent affairs. Origins GinZing Moisturiser. I know, I know, i'm mentioning this again but this really is amazing stuff. I love it that much I have now just purchased my second tub, a first for myself and moisturisers. This means business! To hear more than jump over and read my full review (here).

Last, but certainly not least, is the Clarins Beauty Flash Balm. This cult favourite was first purchased last year after reading Anna's review of it (I swear that girl could make me buy thin air). Having never failed on a recommendation before I took the plunge and have never looked back. This takes dull skin and turns it into the brightest, healthiest glow ever. I use this as a primer and/or mix it in with my foundation and it works absolute wonders. Late nights? Let me be havin' ya! I am now onto my second bottle of this lovely and doubt I'll ever switch from it. You can catch my full review of this product (here). 

What makes your repurchase list?

Lori x

Dry and Dehydrated Skin | Skincare Series

For the next installment of my skincare series I am going to look into dry and dehydrated skin. Over the last few weeks my skin has taken a severe turn for the worst. I'm not entirely sure of the cause of it whether it is to do with the constant changing of weather, the air conditioning in my work or maybe just my skin is changing in general. Either way, my skin has started to become more dry and dehydrated. I have never suffered from dry skin before and took time to look into products I felt would help combat against this. Into my lovely stash I went.

I started using the Clarins HydraQuench Cream when my skin was at it's complete worse. May I also state I was suffering a severe cold and had been constantly blowing my nose so that area was particularly sensitive and flaky. This bad boy was an absolute saviour! Applying morning and night to my face and focusing a lot on my sensitive, poor nose this cleared up the flaking in no time and helped to keep my skin feeling much more hydrated. 

Another amazing product to help my poor, sore skin was the Origins Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask - what a mouthful! This only needs applied once a week, twice if your skin is particularly dry. I apply this about twenty minutes before I go to sleep to allow it to dry in a little and when I wake in the morning my skin looks much more plump and feels so much smoother and hydrated. This is honestly one of the best products I have ever used and would completely recommend it to anyone! As with all Origins products this smells insane! I actually can't wait to use it each week because it leaves my skin feeling amazing. *Please note this isn't included in the photo as I've ran out and need a new one!*

When suffering from dehydrated skin I opt for a thicker, heavier moisturiser to really soak into the skin and work it's magic. On these occasions I reach for Benefit's Total Moisture Facial Cream. Super thick in consistency so a tiny amount is needed to spread over the whole face. The packaging is huge so it will last you a very long time! The fresh cucumbers smell is absolutely delicious and refreshing. It definitely leaves my skin feeling more comfortable and less aggravated, Soothing it from its dehydrated state. It doesn't leave any oily residue and when foundation is applied on top, the foundation doesn't cling to any dry patches which you sometimes find on drier areas. A winner in my eyes. I have been using the travel size lately as I have been jetsetting throughout March and it has been absolutely perfect to pop in my travel bag!

For anyone looking for a good moisturiser but are on a budget and/or don't want to spend over the odds for one then the Nivea Refreshing Soft Moisturising Cream is an absolute dream! It comes in a huge amount of 200ml, it contains Jojoba Oil and Vitamin E making it super gorgeous to apply. I wouldn't say it has the nicest scent in the world, not compared to my Origins moisturiser, but it certainly does the job! Plus with the under a fiver price tag, you can't really go wrong!

These are just some of the products I head for when my skin is feeling dry and dehydrated. What works for me may not work for you, everyone knows their own skin the best. 

What products would you recommend for dry/dehydrated skin?

Lori x

Clarins Beauty Flash Balm | Review

Clarins Beauty Flash Balm £29.50

Before I type up any review, I like to make sure I have given each product a fair trial. Take mascaras for example, on first application I usually hate them, they are too wet and messy which is something I just can't work with. However, after a week or so of lying in my drawer to dry up or if I'm feeling adventurous and want to keep at a product everyday, I always do a 180 and end up loving the product I previously loathed. Today I want to introduce you to my new face saviour - the Clarins Beauty Flash Balm. After eyeing this up for months and a raved review from one of my favourite beauty bloggers, Anna, I quickly skipped to my nearest counter. I have been using this bad boy everyday for around two months now, you can see from the picture above and the faded writing, this is pretty well loved. 

To start, I was only using this on days when I felt my skin was pretty dull or after a particulary sleepless night when it was most definitely needed. I wanted to test just how brightening this product really was. My, oh my, was I impressed - what a difference this makes! It acts as an extreme moisturiser whilst brightening and tightening the skin. It also acts as a great base for make-up, doubling as a primer to hold your slap on all day! On purchasing, I was told to pat this onto the skin - not rub - and then apply my foundation instantly to give the full effects. The balm creates instant radiance and a luminous glow without any signs of glitter - I do not appreciate glitter anywhere except my eyelids, and even that's a push! This has now became a staple in my everyday make-up routine. Clarins was never a brand I looked at much before last year, now my stash is quite considerable. Their new Spring collection is certainly catching my eye, I mean, have you seen their new blushes and palettes?

So if you are looking for an instant pick-me-up then this cult classic needs added to your morning routine ASAP! You can thank me later.

Are you a Clarins addict too? Throw any recommendations my way!

Lori x